Best Free Invoicing Tools for Freelancers: Tested 5 Options
When I started freelancing, I couldn’t justify paying for invoicing software. Every dollar mattered. I needed something free that wouldn’t embarrass me in front of clients. Here’s what I found after testing 5 free options.
1. Wave — Best Free Invoicing Overall
I used Wave for 8 months and it was genuinely excellent for free. Unlimited invoices, unlimited clients, professional templates, online payments, automatic reminders, and full accounting built in. It’s not “free with restrictions” — it’s actually free.
Payment processing fees: 2.9% + $0.60 (credit card), 1% (ACH). This is how Wave makes money. If clients pay by check or external transfer, you pay nothing.
Why I eventually upgraded: I needed proposals, time tracking, and project management. Wave doesn’t have these. But for pure invoicing and bookkeeping, it’s the best free option by far.
2. Invoice Ninja — Best Free for Customization
Invoice Ninja’s free plan includes 100 clients and unlimited invoices. The self-hosted version is completely unlimited and free (you need a web server). Templates are more customizable than Wave’s.
Best for: Technical freelancers who want design control over invoices. Catch: The interface feels dated compared to Wave.
3. Zoho Invoice — Best Free for Small Volume
Free for up to 5 clients and 1,000 invoices/year. Includes time tracking and basic project management — features Wave lacks. Good if you have few clients but need more functionality than invoicing alone.
4. PayPal Invoicing — Best for Quick and Dirty
Create and send invoices through PayPal for free. Clients pay with PayPal or credit card. Fees: 2.99% + $0.49 per transaction.
Reality: PayPal invoices work but look generic. No accounting integration. No automatic reminders. No recurring invoices. I used it for one-off payments when setting up proper invoicing felt like overkill.
5. Square Invoices — Best for In-Person Freelancers
Free invoicing with Square’s payment processing (2.6% + $0.10 in person, 2.9% + $0.30 online). Good if you also take in-person payments at events or client sites.
My Recommendation
Start with Wave. It’s the most complete free option and teaches you proper bookkeeping alongside invoicing. When you outgrow it, move to FreshBooks ($33/month). That’s the path I followed and it’s the path I recommend to every new freelancer.
Free tools aren’t second-class tools. Wave’s accounting is better than some paid alternatives. Don’t pay for software until you’ve outgrown the free option.